Biking Bling

When it comes to gear and toys, nothing seems to get a triathlete more excited than the thought of adding a new gadget to their biking arsenal. Whether it is an entire bike, a set of wheels or another accessory, you can rest assured the triathlete in your

Lazer Wasp Air Tri Garneau Tri Air Lite

$400 Garneau’s X-Comfort technology is designed to expand as your feet expand, preventing the tingling, numbness, hotspots and other issues triathletes often struggle with. (Care for a ride down the Queen K on Hawaii’s Big Island anyone?) The special expandable zone can stretch up to five millimetres to ensure you’ll be comfortable on long rides no matter whether you are riding in Hawaii or Canada. You get a snug fit comfort in a high-tech shoe (Lionel Sanders helped with the design) that offers a wide opening, easily adjustable velcro straps and Icefil arch supports.

$400 Going fast is one thing, but getting to T2 first doesn’t exactly help if your head feels like it’s in a sauna. The 375 g Wasp Air Tri is designed to provide the best aerodynamics while also providing enough ventilation to keep you cool during even the warmest races. There’s an Aquaport at the top of the helmet that even allows you to cool down by squirting water into the helmet, along with a front ventilation grid that draws air around your head. You can even move the integrated lens forward for an extra bit of air flow, too. The airflow across your head helps keep things cool, while the Turnfit retention system keeps the helmet snug and comfortable on your head.

Pearl Izumi Men’s Elite Escape AmFIB Jacket

$250 This super-warm, water-resistant jacket uses Pearl Izumi’s AmFib technology to provide lots of breathability, while the strategically placed thermal panels in the back help keep you warm and dry. The drop-tail hem helps protect you from road spray, while the zip back pockets securely store gear.

Pioneer Dura-Ace Dual Leg Power Meter Crankset

$1,700 Thanks to the Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, Pioneer’s Dual Leg Power Meter will give you all the information you need whether you’re hammering through a Zwift session or killing it out on the road. Set up is a breeze thanks to the Cyclo-Sphere Control App and you get independent data for your left and right legs. This impressive crank can even tell you how efficient you’re pedaling if you pair the crank with a Pioneer or Wahoo computer.

PowerTap P1 Pedals

$1,080 Now, you can easily get power from a number of different bikes by simply switching out your pedals. The P1 Pedals provide precise power measurement from both legs along with lots of other metrics to help you analyze your pedal stroke in fine detail. The simple one-piece design is easy to attach to any crank and, thanks to the Ant+ and Bluetooth compatibility, you can use the P1 pedal with pretty much any head unit and smart trainer.

Shimano Dura Ace C60

$2,230, CLINCHER The 60 mm deep D2 rims used in this speedy wheelset were developed through working with speedy cyclists and time in the wind tunnel. All that input resulted in this super-fast wheel that sits in between the popular 40- and 80-mm rims you see so often in T2, which means you get the benefits of the aerodynamics without as much buffeting from cross winds. A wide rim and beefed up hub ensures you’ll get outstanding power transfer, too.

Enve SES 7.8 Disc

FROM $3,090, TUBULAR; FROM $3,350, TUBELESS CLINCHER With so many of the super-bikes on the market now using disc brakes, Enve’s SES 7.8 Disc wheelset offers another great option to pair with your speedy ride. The carbon-fibre rims provide outstanding aerodynamics to cut through the air with ease, while also remaining extremely stiff laterally so you get the most out of every pedal stroke.

Mavic Comete Pro Carbon SL UST Disc

$2,499 Offering outstanding rolling efficiency (15 per cent better than regular tubed tires, according to Mavic’s tests), these 24-spoke wheels from Mavic are much easier to install than other tubeless wheels. The 64 mm airfoil rim reduces drag and won’t get buffeted around in crosswinds, while the 26 mm width provides a nice combination of aerodynamics, stability and tire integration. Add in the disc brakes and you get precise braking that works well even in wet conditions.

Pro Stealth Carbon Saddle

$280 There’s lots of carbon in this moulded, lightweight saddle that has a specially designed slot that reduces pressure, especially when you’re down in the aero position. The lightweight EVA padding provides just enough support and comfort without adding weight. You can easily add accessories, too, including the PRO camera mount or a fender for wet days.

Fabric Tri Flat Pro

$250 Weighing just 176 g, this 134-mm long saddle features a full-length pressure relief channel to ensure you won’t go numb exactly where you don’t want to while riding in the aero position. There’s a removable bottle mount, an integrated bike hanger and drainage channels to ensure any water from the swim or pouring over your head will flow away from your shorts. Fabric uses an innovative construction method to bond the waterproof microfibre right on to the flexible base, which allows them to use softer foam for more comfort.

Ventum One

FROM US$6,875 With its minimalist design, we’re seeing more and more of this aero bikes in transitions these days. Cody Beals has powered his Ventum One to a perfect Ironman record with wins at Ironman Mont-Tremblant and Ironman Chattanooga, but he’s hardly the only triathlete enjoying the aero benefits of this frame. With water storage an integral part of the frame, you get lots of hydration without having to move out of the aero position. Available as a frameset, you can also build up your own complete bike with Shimano Di2 components, Pioneer power meters and more.

Cervélo P5X Di2 Fluoro Green

$19,000 The P5X celebrated it’s second birthday at the Ironman World Championship this year and it remains a standout performer in the ever-growing super-bike category. A new Fluoro Green paint job gives this bike a new look, but the aerodynamic features remain the same. Designed to be an aerodynamic wonder while carrying all the fuel, liquid and supplies you will need in a full-distance race, the P5X offers a versatile fitting system so you can dial in your best position on the bike, too. Add in the customized Bknd travel case and you have the complete package to get you through your next long-distance tri both comfortably and extremely quickly.

Garmin 520 Plus

$380 Garmin leads the way when it comes to GPS training computers and it’s easy to see why with the Edge 520 Plus. For those who like to compete both in races and while training, preloaded Strava Live segments allow you to take on your own previous-best times or the splits from others. You can follow a route easily thanks to the Garmin Cycle map and even communicate with others thanks to LiveTrack and GroupTrack, smart notifications and riderto-rider messaging. Combined with a power meter and a heart rate strap this super-computer will monitor your VO2 max, Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and pedaling efficiency. The bright screen is easy to read and the computer will run for up to 15 hours on a charge.

Specialized Air Tool Road Mini

$40 As fast as filling a tube up using a CO2 cartridge might be, there are definite advantages to carrying a pump along with you when you ride – you get lots of uses out of a pump versus the one-time-and-done cartridge and you can also take the pump with you on the plane when you pack your bag for your next race or training camp. The Air Tool Road Mini is tiny enough to fit in a saddle bag but still can get a whopping 100 psi into your tire and does it in a hurry thanks to the double-chamber design. You even get an integrated tube spool and tire lever so you’ll be completely organized and ready for your next flat.—KM